** BEYOND BEARANOIA **

Truth be told , -- I'm always informed by the criticisms and experienced views of those more knowledgable than myself ; -- on the narrow subject of Bear Attacks and tactics to survive them .

I've been attacked for-real by a Black Bear and was very lucky to get out of it with little damage . -- Years later , I was inspecting , ( for U.S Customs / USDA ) , the cage of a feral , small bear , ( little adult Sun-Bear , I believe ) , -- when the thing exploaded on me . --- Both times , I was impressed , ( verily ) , with the speed and ferocity of the attack . -- I saw it again in a Natl. Geographic video tape of a Large Griz. Boar in a close , bluff-charge , ( but woweee , sportsfans , -- before the thing pulled up short , it was something to behold ) .

These were explosions , -- not at all like footage I've seen of other attacks , where the dynamics were almost casual or appearing almost in slow mation .

So I am admittedly picturing this type of sudden , quick and explosive activity when considering the Firearm and tactics that are best to employ .

It's doubtless true that in most places in the Western U.S. the chances of succumbing to a Bruin Attack are far less than getting wiped out in the vehicle on the way to the field . ---- But that's beside the point . --- Worse , it misses the point completely .

I'm an admitted Gun and Shooting Fan , from childhood , -- Just like the damn things near more than any other toy . --- And I'll be damned if I go into the Country with anything much less than the best there is , especially in prime Bruin Range . ( Provided , of course , that I can afford one ! ) . --- It's a matter of druthers , that I rate pretty high , -- ( thank you very much ) , -- and I make no appologies ) .

Each to his own , Brothers , -- each to his own .

But for novices , -- there are a few trivea to remember , and often they aren't spoken of much .

1. ) -- A hungry Bear , ( and they most always are ) . -- can smell a Granola bar or a chaw of Jerkey four miles away downwind . -- They will home in on that smell , -- day or night !

2. ) -- These things are so damn quick , they catch rabbits in the snow !

3. ) -- Anything as Dangerous as Ol'Ephriam , -- ( any experienced African D.G. Hunter will tell you ) , -- you need a true , traditional , - " Stopping-Rifle and Cartridge " . Grizzly Bears attack , a very high percent of the time , when the pilgrim surprises them while they are feeding , -- and/or when a Sow is with her Cubs . --- These are usually close-in attacks , and you're lucky to get one shot into the center of mass .

4. ) -- .45-70 is a great cartridge for a few big-game applications , -- but it is not Ideal for Bear-Attack Stopping , because it is not a round that is capable of pole-axeing a large bear on adrenaline , with a center of mass hit , at close range . --- If it were , they would prefer them in African applications , -- and they don't . ---- Yes , it has been done , but it's been done with less too . --- You have to decide what level of protection you want .

5. ) -- People who live around Griz. and see them a lot ; - acrue to two very different effects . -- First they pick up experience pretty fast , and their judgements on how to stay safe improves rapidly . -- ( That's good ) .

But they sometimes also develop a false sense of security . -- ( That's Bad ! ) .

-- That Grizzly-Maze Guy was a perfect example of that . -- He was like that Gal that worked in close to the Gorillas , and the man that worked in close to African Lions . -- They are among the most experienced in the world ; -- but , then again , -- they just havn't come upon the wrong critter at the wrong time , -- yet .

False sense of security .

Many on these Forums that have never been charged by anything , and havn't even seen video of a real charge ; -- share this same false sense of security . -- ( Especially if they are .45-70 fanatics ) , -- .


Do you want the best protection for yourself and your party , -- or do you want to brag to your friends , you stopped a Bear-Charge with your .45-70 ??
--- Like Dirty Harry said , a Man has to know his ( Rifle's ) , limitations ; -- .

---- JMHO ------ MMCOUGAR .